NHL Schedule Change in the Works?
Yesterday Kevin Allen of USA reported that while there is no consensus on a full-blown change to reconfigure the NHL into four divisions, there could be some agreement to play more games between the eastern and western conferences.
…There is still a possibility that owners might agree to change the schedule to allow more games between conferences. “I sense there is appetite for change in the West, less so in the East,” said Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke. “My prediction is that there will be either status quo or one division game switched to a non-conference game.”
It ain’t much but I guess it’s a start. Cutting games against division opponents from 8 to 7 would provide a good tiebreaker and would give you four games you could use to play against teams from the opposing conference. The teams meet Tuesday during the All Star break so we could hear something regarding the schedule as early as tomorrow.
Allen also has a good midseason report. Things pertinent to the Wings:
He lists Nicklas Lidstrom as the #2 defenseman
Dominik Hasek is his #5 goalie
Dan Cleary being #4 on his list of surprises this season
Mike Babcock doesn’t make his top coaching list. It’s understandable that Barry Trotz and Bob Hartley are on the list, but given how many commentators and even Red Wings fans expected this Detroit squad to fight for an 8th seed you have to be impressed with the job Babcock has done. Randy Carlyle makes the list but his team has struggled since Chris Pronger was injured. And Ilya Bryzgalov has struggled since JS Giguere went down with a groin injury.
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